Roll Call “Chicago” (Part 2)

Community Center Roll Calls
5878

Hey everyone…I’m a non-Chicagoan but my 2 brothers and my brother-in-law are meeting there for a Strapped style golf weekend. Getting in early Friday, June 6, departing Sunday, June 8. We’re staying in an Air BnB in the Evanston area and I’m just reaching out to some fellow Nesticles for recommendations on…well…everything.

Here’s what I’m looking for…

Breweries - Half Acre is the only one on my list. Beat me up with good brewery recommendations.

Restaurants - nothing too fancy, but what are your can’t miss spots for a good lunch between 18s and a solid dinner with drinks?

Courses - we want to walk, we want to pay under $60 to do so. We don’t want to drive too far from the Evanston area, but we do have a rental car. I’m a decent golfer, one brothers is a little better than me, other brother and in-law are solidly in that 15-20 index range.

Some places already on my radar…talk me out of the ones that you think stink or don’t fit well with what we’re looking to accomplish…
*Robert Black
*Sydney Marovitz
*Canal Shores

Anything other wisdom you want to pass along is most welcome.

Thanks!
Ben in Omaha

3 Likes
5879

Hi Ben!
I’m stuck in the car stuck on 65 headed home. Short answer- you got options.

Will send a longer answer later!

1 Like
5880

Both great choices. Sydney (aka Waveland) can get very slow for a 9 hole course unless you’re off early in the morning.

Canal Shores just got a great renovation, only been out there once and played 1-13 and had a blast. Do not need a driver

4 Likes
5881

Good note on Sydney…we were going to try to double up Black and Sydney on Friday (day one)…one before lunch, one after…can’t check into Air BnB until later in the afternoon. Then maybe try to get an early evening time at Canal.

5882

No idea how Robert black is on fridays but I’d probably suggest Sydney in the morning and then RB after. Sydney gets very very slow on Fridays and that puts you closer to Evanston in the afternoon.

3 Likes
5883

Not sure if these will specifically fit the budget in June, but a few walking course options a short drive from Evanston area:

  • Sunset Valley in Highland Park, a local Refuge fave.
  • Wilmette GC which is just fine but very walkable.
  • Glenview Park GC also fine and very walkable but can be a tight piece of property.

Plenty of options as you continue both farther north and NW.

Highly recommend Canal Shores. So fun.

5 Likes
5884

Black should be ok but yeah Syd could be a tough scene in those windows.

Breweries- do HA and next door is Spiteful, very solid and has darts and light bites while HA has good food. Nearby is IS/WAS with saisons. If any bourbon and spirit fans, Unicorn Auctions pick up is very near- win an auction and schedule a pickup for the weekend enjoyment or trip home for stock, they hold for up to 3 mos.
You can then drive a few minutes south for some of the best lagers, pils, smoked beers at Dovetail. Next door is Begyle and 2 blocks over for any juicy, hazy fans is Hop Butcher.
Up by Evanston, Sketchbook is solid and the new Skokie location is good (in addition to original).

3 Likes
5885

Everything that @ChiFFI said about breweries is correct.

If you play Glenview park, you could add Willow hill as an extra 9.

You could also consider Winnetka which has undergone a recent Reno. Technically 9 of the holes were L&M but those are basically unrecognizable at this point.

Canal shores is fantastic.

I play 20+ rounds a year at Bobby B (Robert Black). It’s close to my house and have learned to love it. If you decide to play it, let me know and I’ll write you a hole-by-hole guide with pictures.

Restaurants-
Andersonville is going to be a fairly close neighborhood and there are lots of fun things there to walk around and look at. Many of these recs are there or close to it.

Lady Gregory’s- a proper Irish Pub. One of the best.

Anteprima- modern Italian in a-ville. The zucchini blossoms and the grilled octopus are both must-haves.

(Any Vienna Beef Hot Dog stand for traditional Chicago fare a la “The Bear”)- Portillo used to be king but new ownership has made it less great. Look for super dawg or patio beef or any other yellow sign that looks like it sells hotdogs and Italian beef sandwiches.

Beard and Belly (a wonderful southern comfort food brunch)- pancake fried sausage dippers are killer

Regalia- saffron risotto and an aviation cocktail are the play (hidden gem in Edgewater)

Pizza Lobo- pizza bar (thin crust)

Moody’s Pub- really good burgers but sit outside on the patio (inside is very smoky)

Blowfish- BYOB ramen and sushi right under the el tracks (accessible from Evanston for $2.50/person each way)

The Cubs aren’t in town the weekend you’re here but wrigleyville could still be fun if you want to see the stadium. You could take batting practice at sluggers or have a cocktail at the hotel Zachary bar, or have a Nashville, TN Broadway adjacent experience, head to Old Crow.

All of the recs above are between Evanston and Waveland (Sydney Marovitz).

Cc: @el_pato_real

4 Likes
5886

If seeking beef and Chicago dogs while doing Half Acre, go to Budacki’s.
And mentioning Andersonville destinations without one of America’s best beer bars, Hopleaf.

5 Likes
5887

This is some elite intel, people. Thank you for your contributions thus far…if you don’t see your favorites above, keep 'em coming!

4 Likes
5888

Hi Ben. In the spirit of the “strapped style” trip you seem to be hitting the mark with those courses. Jackson Park and South Shore would both fit the bill too but those are way on the south side and not super convenient for your stay up in Evanston. From a Brewery standpoint, you’re already going to Half Acre so you can also hit up Spiteful Brewing which is right on the same block. Half Acre’s food was good too for what it’s worth. Old Irving Brewing has really good food and some solid beers. Not terribly far from Half Acre. Since you’ll be in Evanston, I’m a big fan of Sketchook Brewing. Also, Double Clutch is suppsoed to be good (food and beer). I haven’t made it there yet but I’m dying to check it out. No shortage of breweries in the Chicago/Evanston area.

3 Likes
5889

Let’s remember that Broadway ripped off Wrigleyville, not the other way around.

2 Likes
5890

Best way to do this is signing up for the 2CGC Matchplay Tournamanent. You can sign up at any time and schedule matches with other 2Cers on Discord or here at your leisure.

Win matches, score points. Score points and you make the playoffs!

2 Likes
5891

Hey there! Living in Atlanta, but from the Southside suburbs! Would love to join here for when I’m home for the Holidays!

6 Likes
5892

Hopefully there isn’t snow on the ground

5893

I love my guys in the Peachtree Collective, but I’m also looking to talk Cubs with y’all!

2 Likes
5894

Glad to see Jed addressed the bullpen needs

4 Likes
5895

But we traded the Astros their third-baseman of the future for 1 year of Kyle Tucker!!! :upside_down_face:

3 Likes
5896

Dovetail, Solemn Oath, Middle Brow (also has great pizza) and Off Color all make good beer.

I’ll second Andrew’s recommendation of Sunset Valley. Class facility at a very fair price!

5 Likes
5897

If you’ll be here in early/mid December, keep an eye out for our Deck the Ballz at Waveland event!

3 Likes